A Crafting We Will Go...

The Universe knows when to light the fire beneath your ass to get you moving. With my international bugaloo fast approaching, the doldrums of winter bearing down upon me, and the absolute disarray of my work space, jewelry production has slowed to a crawl. It's fast going to change.

Lad Named Felix will be showcasing and selling at Urban Folk Circuit's show at Abbey Pub! Urban Folk Circuit is a big deal show. The philosophy of the creators of this amazing circuit is to bring awareness of local artists and artisans through shows that take the experience of a craft show and turn the amp up. The Abbey Pub show will feature three live acoustic bands, a fully-functioning bar (HELLO) and over fifty of Chicago's premiere handmade artists. It promises to be a diverse and extremely engaging experience, and I'm STOKED to be counted among the vendors. The show is March 19th - that's right, ten days after my return to the United States from London. Ten days to put a show together. Ten days to create and tag the pieces I plan to showcase. Ten days that will definitely be long, but filled with art and inspiration and excitement. Deadlines: I crave them.

Check out the Facebook invite and RSVP if you plan to attend, and invite your friends! Art shows are all about the energy of crowds, and, yes, bloody marys. I plan on offering a printable discount coupon to ALL Facebook fans of Lad Named Felix, so make sure you're among that elite cadre!

See you all on the other side of foggy London town!

SAFETY PIN EARRINGS ARE KILLING ETSY

A massive thank you to my girl April Winchell over at Regretsy for this sparkling gem. If you're an artist on Etsy who has lost sales because of their complete lack of perspective and total abandonment of the handmade culture they purport to uphold, you'll love this. And Etsy is laughing, too, as they take our money and build their hipster staff another Tweet-room out of old phone booth parts and crocheted tea cozies, while sellers suffer from a lack of customer support and indeed, anything remotely resembling what Etsy tell us they're doing "for us". The fuckery seems never-ending, and yet they have us by the balls because, really - who the hell shops on Artfire?

Zen

It's been a long, long day and I'm spent. Please watch this video in anticipation of my return tomorrow.

Zee WINNERZ!

The overwhelming response to the 300 Fans and Counting Giveaway blew me away. Srsly - you guys are the Snowpocalypse of fans. Between private messages with hilarious captions, blog comments, and wall posts, last week was made a hundred times more delightful than I ever imagined. I wanted this giveaway to be a huge, uproarious thank you to the people who make LNF what it is, and I was not disappointed.

Hopefully you all won't be either. Because I think you all deserve a chance to rock some LNF as a way to express my serious gratitude to your comments, "likes", re-posts, and general fabulous fanhood, I've changed the stakes a bit.

I chose my overall favorite caption as the big winner. If you're a current Facebook fan of LNF, you were entered this morning into the drawing for your opportunity to win, and if you submitted a caption to to the photo in the original post, you were entered twice for each hilarious attempt. The virtual hat was spilling over, and I put random.org to work to choose the winners below. So, without further ado (and before my lunch break on this cold and snowy day in Chicago is spent), THE WINNERS ARE:

1st Prize - my favorite caption entry, and winner of "Delinquent Citrus", a LNF classic: BRITTANY WIMMER!

2nd Prize - winner of "Stray Minx", a chic and sexy new pair of LNF earrings: MIRIAM ESTRADA!

3rd Prizes - recipients of a shiny 20% off discount coupon at Lad Named Felix's Etsy shop: SIERRA DAVENPORT, ERIN VARGO, TAMARA HOFFBAUER, KELLY MARIE SCHAEFER, and ANNIE NYGARD!

I get a little carried away with the giveaways, but I'm the boss and the boss thinks you're all rock stars. Congratulations to the winners! I'll need you all to send me your email addresses so I can follow up privately to get your mailing address, or to send you your coupon! Feel free to leave them as comments here, on LNF's Facebook wall, or send them as private messages.

I can't adequately express my thanks to each and every one of you for your unending support of my dream. If I hadn't had my tear ducts removed after all my clones died, I'd shed a tear.

Morning Train to Beijing

Sometimes all it takes is some color and texture to stand out. Twenty jade rounds, each unique in color and striation, war around one side of the neck and descend to a stunning faceted hand-cut Chinese crystal in a gorgeous whiskey shade, all connected by way of pure copper headpins. As the piece ages, each headpin will gather a gorgeous and patina. From there, three long and luxurious vintage bronze chains drape in a trio of texture and strength. The chains have a slight patina, as well, so the texture is one of a kind and goes a bit further than standard antiqued bronze. The piece can be worn in a number of ways - asymetrically, as shown in the photos, or with the jade hanging in front, or be edgy and loop the long chains artfully around the neck to create a more tangled look. The piece has no clasp, and each chain is more than long enough to fit over the head.

Components:
Jade rounds - 6mm (20)
Hand-cut Chinese crystal (1)
Copper headpins (22)
Patinaed bronze flat link cross chain

30 DoP #21 - "Precise"

DeathGlam Mini Fox Skull Fascinator

Navigating this snow planet sans tauntaun has caused many delays in my normal day to day activities, 30 Days of Play included. I'll admit it: cowering under blankets with a maybe-too-full glass of sherry has been preferable of late to ascending to my loft studio and freezing while squeezing out a blog entry. I'll finish this project, I promise.

Today: onto a new entry. Cara at Death Glam's work is sensational in its intricacy and composition. This is an artist who seriously understands feathers (a medium known for its fussiness and lack of precision). Her sprays of avian plumage are both delicate and aggressive - a quality I clearly appreciate. Perhaps the most striking features of her work are the technicolor animal skulls that perch, sinister, on her collection of hats and fascinators. Don't call PETA yet, and not just because PETA is a bunch of maniacal and seriously deluded radicals. Her skulls are sourced ethically, from farmers and taxidermists who collect these precious components from animals that have dies quite naturally (read: animals are not killed purposely to harvest their bones). Clients can rest assured that these pieces, though sometimes shocking, are always created with utmost care and ethics in place.

Cara is also a prolific stylist who does what can only be described as provocative, inspired, and gorgeous work. In the near future, you'll be delighted to see some Lad Named Felix originals gracing the necks of her models. I crave collaboration with artists of Cara's caliber, as combining our work will surely heighten and magnify both our creations. In short: she rocks, and you should be aware of her work.

What's 30 Days of Play?

A Magnanimus Declaration of Snark

Be seen AND heard. Rope of brushed steel cross chain are peppered with small industrial steel washers, cascading assertively down the decolletage. This bib isn't for babies, so quit crying. Each rope of altered chain hangs from another length of the same, reaching strongly around the throat and clasping at the nape of the neck with a steel lobster claw clasp. The length is adjustable, so be your own boss and make the executive decision yourself.

Like all Lad Named Felix™ pieces, this comes "signed" with LNF's hand-stamped tag, ensuring your one-of-a-kind piece is an authentic LNF creation!

Components:
Brushed industrial steel cross chain
Industrial steel washers (30+)
Steel lobster claw clasp

30 DoP #18 - "I Love..."

Card Wallet - The Mondo

In the Time Before, I never had my insurance card; in the Time Before, my cash and business cards were hopelessly forgotten at home when I rushed out in a hurry. Each credit and debit card had a sensuous curve that matched perfectly the contour of my ass. I had nowhere to stash important fortune cookie slips. It all changed at Handmade Market (and I ascended into the Time After).

My table had the fortune of being placed next to Beth at Besu's table, and after a few hours of bloody marys with PBR chasers eyeballing her stock, I couldn't control myself anymore, and I purchased the very wallet pictured above.

Let's talk about me and wallets. I don't want my ass to look as if there's a tumor in the right cheek of which I am not yet aware. This rules out traditional leather wallets. Also, they're heavy and smelly and I lose stuff in the little pockets. I always knew I could do better, and my frustrated waiting (the Time Before) paid off.

First of all, it was a S-T-E-A-L at $6 (c'mon kids - handstitching complicated, folded pieces of fabric like this is not an easy or even fun task), and, hello, I'm a sucker for houndstooth. I carry this lovely everyday in the right rear pocket of my pants. It's thin, but fits all my credit cards/Lego VIP card (muy importante), unsolicited twink phone numbers cash, business cards, debit card, insurance cards, ID, and whatever else I want to shove into it and forget about. Like bar receipts. I don't really need to see how much a round of drinks costs me, because I'm ugly when I cry. When my Besu gets dirty, I handwash it, allow it to airdry and it bounces right back into perfect shape. The cotton is uber-flexible, which is important, cause you know my jeans need to be tight across 'dat ass.

I love Besu's work, and I know you will too. I've included a few more choice items below for your perusal. Happy shopping, hoors!

What's 30 Days of Play?

30 DoP #17 - "Extravagantly Extravagant"

Black Diamond Ring - Tension Setting

Scintillating and uber-modern. I love this ring. Black diamonds are so enormously striking, and finding them with the least amount of noticeable flaws is a task. Black diamonds are often pitted and marred with deposits that cause them to appear striated in some manner, which adds to their rareness. Should I ever get married (and though I believe very strongly that, politically, all human beings should have equal marriage rights, I just don't consider marriage a necessity in the modern world), this style of ring is what I'd want. I mean, seriously. Look at it. It's flawless. Don't I deserve that? God, I'm drooling. CLOSING THE WINDOW.

What's 30 Days of Play?

Flattery Works

Sako Tumi is an illustrator, photographer, and graphic designer stationed in the Washington DC area. She graduated from the Art Institute of Washington in 2006 with a Bachelor's in Graphic Design, and has 10 years of experience in the illustration industry. If Photoshop is her skin, and Illustrator her flesh, then InDesign is her bones. Also, she is part robot, and an octopus. Sako is currently engaged in 30-day blog project in which she creates visual art pieces that correspond with certain criteria. Yesterday's was "Something New", and the darling chose to center a piece around her newest LNF piece, A Cumulus Agglomeration. I'm flattered, and as always, staggered by Sako's talent.

30 DoP #16 - "LOLwhat?"

Neon Pink Wangwear

...aaaaand we're back. My sincerest apologies for this. It's Monday and I'm hungover and it's -5 degrees outside and, well...it's a pink weiner on a pair of tighty-whities.

What's 30 Days of Play?

30 DoP #14 - "Epic"

Midichlorian Count Stamped Necklace

Indulge me in telling you a secret.

I'm a geek.

No, really. It's true. I leveled a Blood Elf Warlock to 80 with Tier 9 gear. I owned everyone in my high school class at Magic: The Gathering (Black/Blue deck). I've read Tolkien, and dissertations on Tolkien, and adaptations of Tolkien. I've read The Silmarillion. Three times. At one point in my life, I did not need a handbook to play an epic game of Dungeons and Dragons. Name an MMORPG - I've played them all. My Christmas tree this year featured Legos as decorations. Seen every episode of Xena: Warrior Princess. I didn't feel sorry for that wimp Ender. Do you know who Mace Windu is? I do. In fact, I've successfully pirated totally legally obtained all the episodes of The Clone Wars: Animated Series. In fact, my geekdom might be best described through my love of all things Star Wars. Even The Phantom Menace, for fuck's sake. I went as a Sith for Halloween last year, with full metal armor and a homemade lightsaber constructed from plumbing components. It's bad folks.

This is why I chose today's 30 Days of Play item. It's specific. It's epic. It makes me feel like Alderaan was never destroyed.

What's 30 Days of Play?

SURPRISE

I like you people. You like me. You deserve a reward. Until MIDNIGHT tonight, January 18, magically take 15% off any purchase at LNF's Etsy shop! Refund happens via PayPal at checkout. HURRY BITCHES.

30 DoP #11 - "Green"

Devil Woman Stiletto Cactus Planter

It's an upcycled patent leather platform stiletto in which an evil cactus is planted. It's so fierce my fucking face hurts. Where has this been all my life? I could totally keep a cactus alive. Ladies and gentlemen, this is game changer. This item proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that upcycled crafts don't have to be sad, clunky pieces of trash. Nothing about it says, "I used to have an identity, but now I'm a stay at home mom". There's no stenciled swirly letters; no raffia. It doesn't have some ridiculous inspirational quote or your "family name" embroidered anywhere. From this point forward, I hereby decree that all "upcycled", "green", and "recycled" crafts be this dangerously amazing, or they will be required to include the words HIDEOUS CRAP in the listing tags.

God I love this.

What's 30 Days of Play?

30 DoP #10 - "All A-Flutter"

Necklush

Today's choice for the day of play is ruled by my loins. This model (and the little peekaboo nip) makes them go "a-flutter".

Get it? Okay MOVING ON.

It's not all awkward boners here, though. I own two Necklushes, and they're...amazing, numbering among my favorite accessories (of which there is no lack). Troy and Stephano not only conceptualized this necklace/scarf hybrid, but along with their team, design and print the unique patterns to each piece and create them in-house in their Brooklyn, NY studio. There's something distinctly sexy about a Necklush. It's androgynous, supple, stretchy, and the wearer has the pleasure of deciding how to wear one (there are myriad ways to knot, tie, loop, drape, and cinch). If that's not enough, Necklush is being touted as a revolution in design. Currently, Necklush is representing Etsy in the National Design Triennial at the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, in addition to the laurels they already proudly display for being sold at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston and the Weisman Art Museum Minneapolis. These gorgeous accessories have been featured in LA Times Magazine, TimeOut NY, Lucky, Us Weekly, Refinery29, Kingdom of Style, and that's just the tip of the iceberg of hundreds of other print and online publications.

They're not just all handmade stretch cotton loops, smoking hot models, and androgyny. When you buy a Necklush you are also contributing to alternative, non-toxic treatment of disease. Necklush donates portions of our profit to The Gerson Institute - "Healing and preventing disease the natural way."

So you can be sexy AND humanitarian at the same time. Give these a serious look.

What's 30 Days of Play?

Underground Countess

She moves in mysterious ways. The most striking feature of this striking are two antique silver pectorals (circa 1933), worked in a scrolling art nouveau-style floral. Between the flanking pectorals drape eleven chains - delicate sterling silver cross, gunmetal circle link, brushed silver cross, silver figaro, silver curb, and polished silver cross - each hypnotic and sleek. The pectoral is held in place about the neck by way of a short length of silver curb chain, clasping at the nape of the neck with a hammered silver bar and toggle clasp.

Like all Lad Named Felix™ pieces, this comes "signed" with LNF's hand-stamped copper tag, ensuring your one-of-a-kind piece is an authentic LNF creation!

Components:
Antique 1930's silver art nouveau-style pectorals
Silver curb chain
Sterling silver cross chain
Brushed silver cross chain
Gunmetal circle link chain
Polished silver cross chain
Silver figaro chain
Stainless steel jump rings
Hammered silver bar and toggle clasp

Bridget on a Bender

Striking and elegant, yet snarky. A series of large and small soldered silver circles link together, with a snake of pure white crystal pearls slithering in and out. A strand comprised of antique glass seed pearls studded with genuine moonstone teardrops winds its way through each silver circle. A length of hearty silver curb chain adds more shine, while a more delicate silver cross chain twists and knots everything together. The entire affair clasps at the nape of the neck with a hammered silver bar and toggle clasp.

Like all Lad Named Felix™ pieces, this comes "signed" with LNF's hand-stamped tag, ensuring your one-of-a-kind piece is an authentic LNF creation!

Components:
Soldered silver circles
Crystazzi white crystal pearls
Antique glass seed pearls
Moonstone teardrop beads
Silver-plated curb chain
Silver-plated cross chain
Hammered silver bar and toggle clasp

Pew Pew Pew

Holiday decorations are officially stripped from my loft. It feels a little barren and cheerless without my legions of Star Wars Legos battling in silent tableaux on my artificial Walgreen's tree. I even miss Darth Vader's Lego TIE fighter, even though it seriously looked like it had crashed into a copse of trees on the forest moon of Endor. Boba Fett's Slave I is gone, taken silently apart and portioned into double-sealed Ziploc bags along with the rest of my plastic building brick fleet.

This gives me serious sad face.

2010 was the nerdiest Christmas EVAR. What excuse do I have now to secretly purchase expensive Lego sets? None, it would seem, at least until the next decorating holiday that I can force my boyfriend into allowing me free reign (read: brow beat him to death and withhold sex until I get my way). No worries, though - I just bought The Sims 3 and some expansion packs. It may not be tiny plastic dolls with guns and ships...but it's playing with dolls all the same. Things don't really change all that much.

Melty, gooey, salty blog goodness

My quest for genius blogs has attracted many devoted LNF fans. So what if I spend a major portion of my workday clicking and refreshing dozens of sites offering the best everyday commentaries the web has to offer. AT LEAST ITS NOT A SMOKE BREAK. Judge that, haters.

Root: Underground Food is no exception; indeed, it's now a gem in my sexy tiara of internet deliciousness. Do yourself a favor - close the window on your midget clown porn, set your AIM to "BIZZAY" (you know what? just uninstall that whole mess. when's the last time you encountered someone interesting there?), and pile up your virtual plate with a heapin' helpin' of smart-ass cooking fuckery. My thanks to the inimitable Carol Mjoseth for the link - she, with her sassy Fluevogs and enormous vegetable garden, gets me.

Unicorn Boy, Why Won't You Love Me?

Over three dozen ivory mother of pearl rounded shards parade around the throat and down the decolletage, held in place by five lengths of chain: gold-plated cross chain, silver-plated cross chain, gold curb chain, and large-link silver curb chain. Two stainless steel jump rings secure it all into place, and the whole conflagration clasps at the nape of the neck with a silver bar and toggle clasp. Now he has to love you.

Like all Lad Named Felix™ pieces, this comes "signed" with LNF's hand-stamped copper tag, ensuring your one-of-a-kind piece is an authentic LNF creation!

Components:
Mother of pearl rounded shards (36+)
Gold-plated cross chain
Silver-plated cross chain
Gold curb chain
Large silver curb chain
Stainless steel jump rings
Accuflex
Silver bar and toggle clasp